Like all good journals this journal has changed over the years. Once a personal journal, then a travel journal I have returned this journal to the spirit of what a blog is and moved the travel aspect to one of my websites.

Saturday, November 26, 2011

As I go into another holiday season I have to wonder, why is it that no matter how many times you need to do it over the years it is always next to impossible to figure out what to get people for the holidays?

There are so many suggestions floating about and as we near Cyber Monday, and the online shopping it brings, the pressure to find the perfect gifts grows. You would think that over 30 years of buying holiday and birthday gifts for men I would have a better idea what to get my brothers and nephews this year, but I still find myself at a loss as to what would be the best gift to get for each of them.

The ones that have families are not so difficult, I can get them something for their whole family to use or enjoy. The ones that are single are a bit harder, because then I have to sort out just what interests they each have and try to shop based on what I know about their interests. That does not always go so well.

We all know the tales of gifts that are returned or re-gifted or left sitting on a shelf in the garage and never used. Better to work out the one thing that will be used or needed and send that than buy a lot of expensive things that may or may not be right for the person they are intended for.

That is what makes things like gift baskets, cookies and other sweet treats so perfect for holidays and birthdays. Most men are going to enjoy a cracker and cheese selection tray, or a basket filled with assorted coffee's. Cookies are usually a big hit, and many men have as much of a sweet tooth as any women have so dipped chocolates and the like are appreciated, or the more healthy chocolate dipped fruits.

Sometimes planning gifts for men for the holidays just takes wondering what would actually be consumed and going forward from there.